Archive for April, 2010

Let’s face it, some lists are just too long to write. So, I’ve decided to introduce some ongoing lists starting with this one. The theory behind it is this…

Some movies have a scene in them that is so awesome it can make the whole film worth watching. A scene that can make a bad film good and a great film better. A scene so good that it KICKS ASS… hence the title of the post. This week, we are featuring a clip from the movie:

So, to kick this off, I give you the incomprable Steve Martin in one of the best scenes he’s ever done. Check it out:

That’s it for now, Big Nose.

Please feel free to leave comments in the section below. I never edit any of the comments. Remember, this was meant to be an interactive site, as much as I love the sound of my own voice.

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Check back Saturday as that is when new posts go up. I’m also going to try and keep the Wednesday posts going in the future so stay tuned. And remember… it’s not the size of the nose that counts. It’s the motion in the ocean!!!

Let’s face it, Ladies and Germs, going to the theaters these days is getting more and more difficult. Ticket prices are getting so high, especially with all the IMAX and 3-D screenings (3-D tix in New York have risen to over $20 per), that for some movies I have to decide what I’d rather do… See a film or pay my electricity bill. A recent screening of Up, in 2-D mind you, with a moderate amount of snacks for my wife, kids and myself cost us about a hundred bucks. Even if my wife and I want to go alone, to see something with more mature content, we pay for a sitter and end up eating the cash either way.

This is part of the reason that I don’t do reviews on this site… well, that and the fact that I’m just such a film fan that I have a hard time disliking even poor films. So, I have resigned myself to seeing most films, in fact almost all films, when they come out on DVD. From time to time, a CG driven explosion fest, an interesting or critically acclaimed indie or a new vehicle for an actor I admire will get my butt in the seats. However, most of the time I don’t waste the time because I don’t really expect much from the films.

However, there are a few Filmmakers out there (under 10 probably) whose catalogue of work is so impressive that I know I can count on them to leave me feeling satisfied after shelling out a healthy lump of coin to see their films. For that, I thought they should be honored here, on what some are calling the greatest blog ever written (and by “some” I mean “ME”), with this week’s list: DIRECTORS WHO GET MY DOLLARS.

So, last week when we did our DESERT ISLAND DVD extravaganza, I couldn’t help but feel all the love out there for Firefly, Serenity and, in particular, Nathan Fillion. As many of you know, I’m a big Nathan Fillion fan. I’ve loved him since 2 Guys, A Girl & A Pizza Place. Still, I can’t drag myself to watch everything he does… my apologies to White noise 2 and, his new venture, Castle. However, I did stumble across this clip from Castle’s Halloween episode where the writers and Mr. Fillion did a wonderful shot out to the short lived but much loved, Sci-Fi classic, Firefly. I thought it bared sharing. Here ya go:

That’s it, Browncoats. Feel free to comment below. I never edit any of the comments. Remember, this was meant to be an interactive site, as much as I love the sound of my own voice.

You can also sign up to get this blog via e-mail at the top of the page. And, as always, if you like this site, TELL A FRIEND!

Check back Saturday as that is when new posts go up. Have a great week and remember… I AIM TO MISBEHAVE!!!

I was recently called out by Castor Troy from Anomalous Material to participate in MEME… a blog started by Scott from the blog “He Shot Cyrus”. Think of it as a post on getting to know your author. So, without further ado, I present you with a list dedicated to my favorite subject: ME!

1. I have been an artist since I was 4 years old and always dreamed of being the next Walt Disney.

I just realized we’ve been up and running for about 4 months now and have failed to dedicate a single post to Star Wars. A travesty which I intend to rectify today.

You see, I’ve been a Star Wars fan my entire life. The first movie I ever went to, though I was in my mother’s belly at the time, was Star Wars. As a kid, I had almost every action figure, ship and playset Kenner ever made. A collection I set out to restore in my 20’s. Here’s a glimpse at the current toy room:

Between that and the movie obsession, I’m as shocked as you that the Editor-in-Chief said yes when I got down on one knee… believe me!

But I digress, so, I thought it would be interesting to thumb through the old collection and dive into the seemingly endless world of characters George Lucas has created over the years and pick my favorites. I’ll admit, like most my lists, time and circumstance can change my opinions. However, right now, these are my Top 10 FAVORITE STAR WARS CHARACTERS.

So, good ol’ Andy, at the Fandango Groovers Movie Blog site, has got a bunch of us bloggers from around the world, and the blog-o-sphere, to put up a post featuring what DVD’s we would take with us if we got stranded on a desert island (Limit 8). Don’t overthink it and ask how we would play these DVD’s… my guess is I would use my above average intelligence to fashion something out of coconuts, bamboo and vines… just go with it!

To see some of the other bloggers contributing to this topic, click the pic of Wilson below:

Nobody can argue the simple fact that in order to make a good movie the most important thing is a solid script. Except me, of course. Being a struggling screenwriter myself, I wish I couldn’t… but I can. No, I’m beginning to believe that casting can be the most important and integral part to having a successful film. Sure, a good story will elevate a good cast’s performance to new and extraordinary heights. However, good casting (particularly in regards to acting but, of course, in direction as well) can take a mediocre script and make it something special.

As I’ve discussed before, the road from script to screen is a long one, that makes many twists and turns along the way. Many times, whether we see a film or not is solely dependent on whether or not a major star is attached to take on the heavy roles. Since the road is long, a lot of times, actors can come on to projects and be forced to drop out for a myriad of reasons including scheduling conflicts, creative differences, lack of interest, ego, money issues and so on. So, this week, I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the major movie roles that actors have passed on over the years and the reasons why.

It’s amazing to think how different some of our favorite movies could’ve been if the cast had been different. So, with that in mind, I present you with this weeks’s list: THE MOVIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN. Continue reading →